Cycle trails in Nelson/Tasman

The Nelson Tasman region is the Heart of Biking in New Zealand. It’s home to two Great Rides; the family friendly Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and the exhilarating and historically rich Dun Mountain Trail, all within easy ride from Nelson Airport.

The region also boasts some of the very best mountain biking in the world, from the fun and easily accessed Codgers and Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Parks to the back country splendor and isolation of the renowned Heaphy, Rameka and Rainbow trails.

We are situated only 1.5 km from the official start of Tasman’s Great Taste Cycle Trail at the airport (and between here and the airport is the only bit of on-road biking you will need to do). Find out more about Tasman’s Great Taste Trail.

Where can you bike to from our place?

NORTH to Nelson

Nelson city centre is only 5km away by direct road route but it is safer and more enjoyable to connect up with the cycle track either at the Airport or at the WOW museum and enjoy the ride to Nelson.

SOUTH to Richmond

Richmond is 12km and about 20 minutes from Tahuna Beach Holiday Park by bike – all flat and once you get on the track at the airport you are on cycle track all the way.

Once you get to Richmond you have two choices: one is to head WEST towards Mapua / Motueka and the other choice is to head SOUTH towards Brightwater / Wakefield.

WEST from Richmond

Rabbit Island is about 10km past Richmond heading towards Mapua – allow about an hour – all flat. Once you get to Rabbit Island you can take the bike ferry across to Mapua and have a coffee or a meal at one of the great cafes or bars on the waterfront. Or, try the takeaways from the local chippie and eat them on the wharf. Or if you don’t want to take the ferry, pack a picnic and have it on the beach front at Rabbit Island before heading back again.

SOUTH. Brightwater is about another 10km past Richmond as well. Brightwater has a couple of really nice cafes. Wakefield is about another 10 km past Brightwater and this also has a couple fo good cafes. My favourite is Cafe Rhubarb. The specialty pizzas are so yummy.

Bike hire

Tahuna beach Holiday Park is now proud to offer bike hire on site thanks to our partnership with Trail Journeys Nelson – www.trailjourneysnelson.co.nz.

With a wide selections of bikes for the whole family available.

* Take a short ride to Tahuna beach for the day

* Ride along the beautiful Rocks road and visit Nelson’s Town Centre and museums.

* Ride part of Nelson and Tasman’s Great Taste Trail out to Mapua, swim along the amazing beach on the front of Rabbit Island, cross the estuary on the world famous Mapua Ferry (included in the price!) to the Mapua Wharf and feast on the delights that await you. Enquire about return shuttle service.